Graciela Barajas Public Administration

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you."

-B.B. King

Graciela Barajas is a native San Antonian and first-generation college student. She is a full-time mother of three children: Manuel III, Amber, and Matthew; and is happily married to her husband of 15 years, Manuel. As a mom, she emphasizes the importance of education to her children. As a young parent, keeping her family unified during her husband's deployments was a priority. When her husband began a new career with the San Antonio Fire Department, she focused on maintaining schedules, time management, and family unity. She then decided to return to school to lead by example. Balancing family, a work-study position, and school while maintaining a high GPA of 3.54, was a challenge worth pursuing. She was the winner of the San Antonio College President's Holiday Card Contest in 2019. She was the recipient of the Martha Ellen Tye Scholarship and the Women in Transition Scholarship, all while volunteering in her children's PTA and youth organizations. After earning her associate in public administration, Graciela will continue to pursue a bachelor's degree at Texas A&M University-San Antonio while working at a public institution to serve her community.